St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-05-19
COL. WILKIN.
The Dead Soldiers Portrait Pre-
scented to the Mankato G. A. r.,

The Dead Soldiers Portrait Pre-
scented to the Mankato G.. A. II,
Special to the Globe.
MANKATo, Mimi, May 1S.-Wilkin
post. G. A. r., held special services this
evening on the occasion of the presenta-
ton of portrait of Col. Alexander
Willlin to the president by Judge Wilkin,
of st. Paul. Gen. Baker was the pre-
Sentation orator selected by the donor.
He delivered an eloquent address, of
which the following is a brief synopsis ::
"a most worthy custom is now eStab-
lished of honOring and keeping green
the memories of those who riSked and
dared all for their country in naming
for them posts of that noble post bellum
institution, the Grand Army of the Re
public. The decorated grave, the tow
ering monument cannot better COM
memOrate the patriotic dead than the
eloquence of name thus Worthily
bestowed. Minnesota gave many
gallant sons to the Union. but
it is no reflection upon other true hearts
to say that none went more willingly to
fields of danger and death than Alex
ander Wilkin. Il. Patriotism has in all
ages been held as the nObleSt sentiment
than can govern the patriotic citizen.
country is the highest ideal of patriot.
The motives which lead tosSuch'Sacrifice
are the most elevated which move the
human heart and such martyrs APP
proach our highest conception. Col.
Wilkin was frank, manly and sincere,
bold and courageous to utter fearless
ness. He possessed that combination of
qualities out of which patriots are made.
Col. Wilkins was native of New York
and the son of Samuel j. Wilkin, at
one time member of congress from
that state. He served in the Mexican
war with distinguished honor and after
its close went to st. Paul and began to
practice law, Judge r. r. Nelson being
his partner. President Fillmore APP
pointed him secretary of the territory,
Alex Ramsey being governor. Col.
Willkin was
-,t"rGa AN OLD LINE WING
and was the Wing candidate for con-
greSS at one time, but was defeated by
Hon. H. M. Rice, the Democratic
nominee. During the Crimean war he
visited Europe. In 1860 he supported
Douglass for the presidency. In 1861 he
raised the first company of the old
First regiment of Minnesota. He
distinguished himself at Bull Run and
Mill Springs: was made colonel of the
Ninth Minnesota and fought
in the Sioux war and was
detailed to st. Louis as president of a
court martial. In May 1864 he was sent
to Memphis to operate against Gen. For
rest and was Instrumental in saving the
Union forces from total rout in the bat
tie of Guntown, etfecting an almost
miraculous retreat to Memphis. The
Ninth regiment was now placed in the
brigade of Gen. A. j. Smith, and again
pursued Forrest and in the hour of vic
tory he was mortally wounded. He
gave his life to his country and a spot
less name to the state of his adoption.
Those immortal lines of Horace could
not be more worthily bestowed
than upon Col. Wilkin, 'dulce ct
decorum est pro pratria MONA Such
was the man for whose memory You
have named this post. In the name of
Hon. Wescott Wiikin, the only brother
of this man, / present to this post this
portrait of Col. Alexander Wilkin.n
Judge Severance, in speech reDlete
with beautiful figures OF speech, ac-
cepted the gift on behalf of the post,
closing with the following tribute: &c
tell Judge Willin that one of the most
splendid traits of human character is
the underlying devotion to the memory
of brother who died for his country
Hon. LOrin Cray and Col. Thomas made
short speeches, eulOgiZing the dead
soldier, after which refreshments were
served. Several fine vocal solos were
rendered by Mrs. Lindsay.